Background
The term ‘research and innovation infrastructure’ can be interpreted in many different ways. We use an internationally recognised definition of infrastructure: ‘facilities, resources and services that are used by the research and innovation communities to conduct research and foster innovation in their fields. They include: major scientific equipment, knowledge-based resources, e-infrastructures’.
UKRI published a report The UK’s research and innovation infrastructure: opportunities to grow our capability (PDF, 6.2MB) in November 2019. This report is intended as a strategic guide to inform investment decisions for the next generation of research and innovation infrastructure. It sets out future infrastructure landscape and identifies needs, opportunities and key themes that could be a major benefit to the UK’s capability to 2030.
Building on this work UKRI has established a new approach to prioritisation of major infrastructure investments and has assembled an Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IAC) to support the process. The primary role of the IAC is to provide advice to UKRI’s Executive Committee and Board on long term infrastructure investment priorities and prioritisation of investments through the cross UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
The Infrastructure Fund supports step-changes in infrastructure capability and capacity (including new infrastructure, major upgrades, repurposing, transformative developments or decommissioning). It supports investments right across the disciplinary spectrum and from fundamental research to innovation focused activities.
Investments may be located across the regions and nations of the UK or form part of major international collaborations. Such investments are often costly, may involve several UKRI councils are not possible to accommodate through their core budgets.
The research and innovation quality, impact potential, sustainability, including environmental sustainability and strategic importance are key considerations. UKRI spends approximately £1 billion per year on infrastructure across the research and development landscape. Historically approximately £300 to 400 million has been through cross-council funding mechanisms like the Infrastructure Fund. Future funding will be subject to the outcome of the Spending Review.
Find out more about previous infrastructure projects supported through the Infrastructure Fund.
IAC membership
Membership of the IAC is drawn from existing, relevant expert committees across UKRI including Council’s Councils, alongside external calls for members.
The current membership of the IAC.
The 7 principles of public life
In 1995, the Committee on Standards in Public Life defined 7 principles, which should underpin the actions of all who serve the public in any way.
Consistent with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice, you will be assessed on merit, and all candidates for public appointment will need to uphold the standards of conduct set out in the 7 principles of public life. These will be tested as part of the selection process and the selection panel must satisfy itself that all candidates for appointments can meet these standards; which are:
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or other friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
Carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Remuneration
Please note this is not a salaried position, although reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with the UKRI travel and subsistence policy.
In accepting the invitation to join the IAC, members are expected to agree to the terms of reference for membership and must abide by UKRI’s policy on conflicts of interest. External members may be called upon to take on the role of Deputy Chair of the IAC. It is expected that the Deputy Chair would only be required under exceptional circumstances, such as to cover an item where the Chair has a specific conflict of interest or is unable to make an IAC meeting last minute.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
UKRI is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all. Applications from women, those with a disability and members of minority ethnic groups, who are currently under-represented at senior levels in the research and innovation community, are therefore especially encouraged.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
In accordance with the GDPR 2016/679 (EU), the personal information provided as part of the IAC application will specifically be used for the purpose of administering this opportunity and aggregated anonymised data will be used for the purposes of monitoring our advisory and decision-making bodies.
Analysis of the information will be viewed by UKRI staff only and personal information will not be used for any other purpose without your specific consent. For further information on how your information will be used, how we maintain the security of your information, and your rights to access information we hold on you, please contact UKRI Information Rights Team via dataprotection@ukri.org
